So many letters that it took brother Charles from nine in the
morning till two in the afternoon to read and answer them in the
shortest manner; letters from all classes of people, high and low,
rich and poor, in all shades and styles of composition, poetry and
prose; some mere outbursts of feeling; some invitations; some advice
and suggestions; some requests and inquiries; some presenting books,
or flowers, or fruit.
Then came, in their turn, deputations from Paisley, Greenock, Dundee,
Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Belfast in Ireland; calls of friendship,
invitations of all descriptions to go everywhere, and to see
everything, and to stay in so many places. One kind, venerable
minister, with his lovely daughter, offered me a retreat in his quiet
manse on the beautiful shores of the Clyde.
For all these kindnesses, what could I give in return? There was
scarce time for even a grateful thought on each. People have often
said to me that it must have been an exceeding bore. For my part, I
could not think of regarding it so. It only oppressed me with an
unutterable sadness.
In the afternoon I rode out with the lord provost to see the
cathedral. The lord provost answers to the lord mayor in England. His
title and office in both countries continue only a year, except in
case of re-election.
As I saw the way to the cathedral blocked up by a throng of people who
had come out to see me, I could not help saying, "What went ye out for
to see? a reed shaken with the wind?" In fact I was so worn out that I
could hardly walk through the building.
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